Improvement in table-bedsteads



A. A. HOFFMAN'. Table-Bedstead.

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Dn O T N E V N ATTORNEY NV PETERS, PHOTO-LITHOGRAFNER. WASHINGTON, D C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANTHONY A. HOFFMAN, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN TABLE-BEDSTEADS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,823, dated April 23, 1878; application tiled February 9, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, AN'rHoNY A. HOFFMAN, of New York, county and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements relatingV to Combined Bedstead and Table, of which the following is a specication:

I have devised a construction of joint which allows the combined device to bestron gl y and reliably supported at a proper level for atable, or to be lowered, and to be supportedat a lower level on the folded legs when used as a bed; also, a convenient means of attaching a top to cover the whole completely for a table, or to detach it and allow it to be removed'for use as a bed; also, an improved frame-work which is conveniently extensible to produce a bed of proper length, and with the head properly elevated while sliding together in a smaller compass for use as a table.

My construction affords sufficient room to stow the mattress and blankets, if such .be desired.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

VFigure l is a longitudinal vertical section through the entire construction adjustedfor use as a table. Fig. 2 is a corresponding section, with the top board removed and the other parts adjusted for use as a bed. Fig. 3 is a corresponding section, showing a slightly different adjustment of the parts, adapted to hold the head higher and feet lower.

The remaining iiguresshow the joint which connects the legs with the body on a larger scale.

Fig. 4 is a central vertical section, showing the joint half bent. Fig. 5 is an end elevation, showing the legs straightened and fastcned in their straightened positions.

Similar letters 0f reference indicate like parts in all the figures.

A is a rigid rectangular frame, which may be permanently and stiftly secured together. The interior, at the head, is beveled or chamfered, as shown. B B, &c., are legs, hinged to the body at the points b, and forming a considerable distance into the body A. 0n the inner face of each knuckle is pivoted, on the leg` B, by a shaft, b, a turning button, b2. The outer end of the shaft b is squared, and adapted to be turned by a key analogous to a box-wrench. Room is provided on the inner face of the knuckle for the buttons b2 to be turned. A stop, a, is provided in the proper position to arrest the button when itis turned directly crosswise of the knuckle. In this position it iirnlly locks the joint in the closed condition.

The turning of the button in the upright position sets the joint free and allows the leg to be folded. When the frame A is lifted and the several legs` are straightened, the turning of the buttons b2 into horizontal positions locks all the legs stiflly, and the construction is held as if on ordinary permanent legs.

The structure is let down by folding the legs B to serve as a bed, and is elevated and the legs stiffened, as described, to serve as a table.

A strong way, A', extends longitudinally within the framing A at the bottom on each side. There is a slot, a2, and a notch, al, in each, for purposes hereinafter described.

I) is a table-top, made in one or more pieces, and sufficiently over-hangin g the frame A. There are cleats D', which apply just within the table, and each are provided with pins or eyes d1 d2, which will engage with suitable hooks.

C C, &c., are hooks, pivoted on the points c on the interior of the framing A, extending through the slots a2 in the ways A, and adapted to engage with the eyes or pins to lock the table-top D firmly down when desired. Each hook C is extended sufficiently below its pivot c to serve as a handle, and to allow it to be conveniently operated from below.

The hooks (l, which are at the sides of the structure, engage with pins d. The lower ends of these side hooks play in the slots in the ways A1. The hooks C at the ends turn on pivots, which are held out a little from the inner face of the framing, and engage in eyes d2. A slatted framing, Gr, a little narrower and considerably shorter than the interior of knuckle-joint therewith, which reaches up a I the framing A, applies within it. When the device is to be worked as a hed this frame G is placed in the inclined position shown in Fig. 2, resting on the head ot' the framing A, and with its lower edge engaged in the notches a' in the ways A'.

Another slatted frame, H, a little narrower, rests on the frame G at one end, and on a cross-piece, A2, at the other end. The crosspiece at the foot ot' the frame H is deep enough to engage with the cross-piece A2. When the device is to be used as a table these parts are placed in the position shown in Fig. 1.

I I are long hooks, turning on pivots i on the interior ofthe framing A, and when engaged with pins g on the interior of the framing G they hold the latter framing very steadily. J is a bent frame, preferably of metal, turning in holes or eyesj in the framing A. When it is turned up in the position shown in Fig. 2 it serves as a foot-board, and on mattresses and blankets heilig applied the structure is in condition for use as a bed. Holding the frame Hin the position shown in Fig. 2, its lower end engages beyond the cross-piece A2, and the frame H is nearly level. 0n lit'tingit and drawing it toward the head a sufficient distance it will come to rest in a new position, resting now on the cross-piece A3, and with its lower end abutting on the near side ot' the cross-piece A", as shown in Fig. 3. The device allows tor the adoption ot' either position at pleasure, and the obtaining oi' consequent changes in the inclination of this part of the bed, according as the taste or inclination of the user shall dictate. dien thus used the legs B may be straight; but they will hold the bed too high to accommodate most persons. It is better to fold the legs.

When it is desired to use the structure as a table the frame H is lifted out, the footframe J folded down, and the frame H replaced; then the hooks I are disengaged and swung over; then the foot of the frame G is disengaged from the notches a' and slid down into a horizontal position in the framing A. This movement is allowed by simply sliding it along on the ways A' A', the frame H readily allowing the movement.

The slatted character of the frames G and H allows free access of the air to ventilate any mattresses or other bedding which may be stowed in the structure; but many will prefer to keep all such material in a separate place.

There is a space within the structure, after the frames G and H are in place, which may be made available to stow bedding, pillows, or other articles, if desired.

On raising the structure, straightening and stiffening the legs, applying the top D, and engaging the several hooks C, the device isin condition to be used as a table.

Modifications may be made. Instead of making the pivots or shafts of the lockingbuttons b2 short, and recessing the square heads and the necessary collars into the upper extremity of the jointed legs, as shown, the pivots may be made longer, and the collars and heads may project. Instead of making the frames G and H slatted, they may be continuons webs of Woven or netted goods, or they may be woven wire, or any of the spring devices used in beds.

I claim as my invention- 1. In combination with the main frame A, having the ways A',- provided with slots a? and notches a', the frames G H, hooks I, removable top D, and hooks C, adapted to serve as a table or bed, as herein specied.

2. The frame H, in combination with the frame G and with the main frame A, having the cross-bars A2 A", so as to allow the frame H, by simply changing the cross-piece at its footft'rom one side to the other of the crosspieee A2, t-o be held at changed inclinations, as herein specitied.

3. The knuckle-joints, with their locking means b' bz connecting the legs B with the frame A, in combination with frames G H tor 'supporting a mattress, and with a removable top, D, adapted to serve as a table or bed at will, as herein specified.

4. The top piece D, with its pins or eyes d' d2, in combination with the frame A, hooks C c, and frames G H, adapted to support a bed when the top is removed, as herein specified.

5. The main frame A, having the ways A', provided with the notches a', in combination with the frames G H and hooks I, as herein specitied.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my name in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

A. A. HOFFMAN.

Witnesses:

PHILIP HOFFMAN, CHAs. U. STETsoN. 

